Shannon Briggs Gets Another Shot

Liakhovich/Briggs WBO title fight Saturday night in Arizona

Shannon Briggs gets another chance of a lifetime on Saturday, Nov. 4, when he takes on WBO heavyweight champion Sergei “White Wolf” Liakhovich in Scottsdale, Arizona (Showtime).

Best-known for his bleached dreadlocks, it sometimes feels as though Briggs has been around forever, but, since he believes time is still on his side, he also talks one helluva game.

It’s funny, because when everyone thinks of me, they think I am old because I fought George Foreman and Lennox Lewis, said Briggs. But those fights were when I was very young.

The six-foot-four-inch Briggs is just 34 years old in an age when heavyweight champs over the age of 30 are not the exception, they’re the rule. And while Briggs has won 11 consecutive fights by KO, those wins were against questionable, not marquee, opposition.

A lot of guys in my division are in their prime at 34. They think I am an ancient warrior, Briggs said, But I feel I am just hitting my prime. I have plenty of fight left in me. I feel invigorated.

The people want to see blood, he continued. They want action. I hate to sound barbaric because I am not that way outside of the ring, but this is a job. The customers are getting what they want.

I have never been touted as having great stamina, Briggs said. I am training hard, but I am training for a knockout. This is going to be a great fight.

A kayo artist who seldom goes beyond five rounds, Briggs is not concerned if the fight goes deep.

I do not worry about it, he said. I do not see it as a problem. But it is something I am working on. It is going to take some work on my part to improve my endurance and stamina. I am looking for a tough fight. At the same time, I will be going for a knockout from round one to 12.

Liakhovich has improved since his knockout loss to Maurice Harris. He took some time off and fought his way back. Now, he is a better fighter. I think that this fight will be the fight of the year. I am confident I can make Liakhovich quit.

My career has had ups and downs. I had a nice climb to the top. This is not my last run, Briggs said, implying that another run at the title might be necessary if Liakhovich doesn’t fall.

My career has been a great ride. I would not change anything. I am where I am today because of it. I have what I have today because of what I have gone through. If I would have knocked out Lewis in that first or second round, I might not be here now. I might have been blown away in ashes.”